A/N: Sorry about the delay with getting this chapter up, I had a Math
Provincial Exam to study for. I'd also like to thank everyone who's
reading and reviewing my story. It really makes my day. I really
appreciate the pointers on mistakes I make (I changed the Chinese/Mandarin
thing). Thanks again, cheers!
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Chapter 6
Butler rubbed his head and rolled over onto his side. His back ached and come to think about it, his head hurt a lot too. He opened his right eye a slit, just enough to get a glimpse of the room he was in. It was Artemis's back building. What was he doing here? he thought groggily. And it was still light out too, so what was he doing sleeping?
Something approached him from behind, he went limp, waiting for an attack that never came. No more sound came from behind and Butler dismissed it as just part of the creaking of this building. He hadn't been permitted into it often. Which brought up another question. Where was Artemis?
Flipping onto his back again, Butler was startled to see the weirdest looking thing conceivable. He was going to try to scare it off, but then thought better of it. Creatures like these, you could never be too cautious. A voice in his head laughed, creatures like these? When had he come across them before?
"Ok, little guy, easy does it. We'll get you out no problem..."
The creature looked hurt, even embarrassed. Although Butler couldn't think of why, after all it was just a dumb animal.
"In my world, Butler, I am not considered so little, it's just compared to you that I'm small, you giant of a man."
Not so dumb after all...it was talking to him. The thing was actually talking to him - and it knew his name! Butler closed his eyes and began the meditative steps that would allow his mind to wake up and perhaps reveal some answers. A sharp prod in the chest broke the moment and his concentration and Butler blinked his eyes open in irritation.
"Well, you haven't moved much. But by the looks of things, my serum seemed to do the trick. Your breathing is a lot deeper than it was when you first came in."
Butler stared at the animal speaking to him, wondering if he was in a dream...he hadn't dreamed for years, decades possibly. Then he thought of a way to fight him, but then, that wouldn't be fair either considering the creature had no weapon. In fact, it looked as it had never lifted a finger to any sort of weapon.
"Oh for heaven's sake, have you no memory whatsoever? What do I have to do? Snap my fingers in front of your face?"
Butler thought on it and figured that it wouldn't hurt to give it a try, since this creature obviously knew him. Creature. It seriously looked like something out of the fairy tales he had heard Juliet, his sister, read, when she was much, much younger. Scratching his head, Butler finally was able to lay a finger on it.
"You're a centaur."
"You think?" Foaly asked sarcastically, "I always thought I leaned more towards the human side than anything."
"I can see it."
"So can I, considering it's the other third or so of me." Foaly began pacing, his hoofs making a terrible clatter to Butler's foggy mind.
"Is there any chance of you stopping?"
"No."
"Ok."
Pacing a trail into the floor seemed to be Foaly's goal, "Butler, do you seriously not remember anything? I mean, Artemis was a lot faster remembering, but that's just granted. You on the other hand don't seem to be recalling anything."
Not knowing what to say, Butler remained silent.
"How's your breathing, by the way?"
Unconsciously, Butler reached up to massage his chest that always ached...although just not at the moment. "Seems to be all right at the moment, but then, I haven't done any physical activity."
Foaly nodded. "But your memory...that's certainly a concern."
Slightly offended, Butler replied stiffly, "There's nothing wrong with my memory."
Coughing politely, Foaly pointed to himself, "Right, and I am?"
"A centaur."
"We've met before...where?"
"Not long ago – probably half an hour ago, right in this very building."
Artemis's body shook with laughter as he relived the scene where Holly confronted the headmaster. It had been a beautiful moment, one that would be forever burned into his memory.
"Holly, you're a genius. That was incredible back there."
Picking at the dress (again), Holly replied, "You're the genius, I just acted on your idea for playing the part of your sister...I just lost a little control when the stupid professor kept on hinting at a higher bribe."
Artemis shrugged, "He's always like that."
"Not any more."
"Ah, Butler, glad to see that you're finally awake. How're you feeling?" Artemis inquired.
Scowling slightly, Butler responded with a series of grunts before clearing his throat, "I've been through one interrogation as it is, Artemis. Ask this Foaly character for whatever information you want."
Turning a quizzical eye to Foaly, Artemis repeated his question.
"He's fine, but he can't remember a bloody thing. On the other hand, his breathing is almost back to what it was."
"Is he fit to bring north?"
"In that aspect, he'll be fine – he just won't know either me or Holly. But that's not a problem." Foaly snickered, "This way we'll be able to start anew."
Artemis turned back to watch his manservant, who in turn was watching his master intently. He knew something was up, he just couldn't grasp what new scheme Artemis was up to. He also felt betrayed...the trust between the two was down to a thread. So many times had Artemis put either his life or somebody else's life on the line in gaining a little more money for the estate. Artemis knew this – it was time to fill Butler in on past and present, and so he did. Unfortunately, Butler wasn't the only one who heard of the past adventures.
Artemis Fowl senior glared down at his son, his wife sat on one of the elegant imported French love seats. Hair perfectly coifed she was the image of perfection. As was every other member present in the room, displaying how old money's habits are ingrained in the family.
"I can't believe this. Since I've returned, I thought that you'd been keeping to the legal side of things. This...this is outrageous!" he spluttered. "I thought we had an agreement Artemis! I just can't believe this!"
Keeping his face neutral, Artemis Fowl, the second shrugged slightly, "Neither can I. You trust me so little that you secretly had a security camera placed in my rooms. It was craftily done, I'll give you that. Secure line, transmitting at a frequency not usually used for cameras. My detectors never even knew it was there."
"Seems that I was in the right to spy on my very own son. Can't trust you."
Flinching at the harsh words, Artemis quickly explained, "They were of times before we found you, father. I was just recounting old times with Butler."
"Of fairies? Magic? Gnomes?"
Speaking of which, Artemis was actually surprised his father wasn't having a heart attack at the moment, especially since Holly and Foaly in the room with their dirty shoes on the oriental carpets.
"What can I say? Old times."
Butler stood in a dark corner, present, yet unseen. He was feeling ill; his head hurting like the devil was pounding on his head. He was just as confused to say the least.
"Butler? Confirm this."
"It's true. Old times."
"It's ok Butler, I understand. Loyalty to my son is your job."
"Of fairies, magic...gnomes." Artemis Fowl senior muttered, "My son has snapped."
Mrs. Fowl's head lifted at the mention of her beloved son losing it. "Surely you jest."
"Not this time. Artemis let's go, we're bringing you to the hospital immediately."
For the first time in Artemis's life, he jumped to his feet and shouted, "What are you talking about? Can you not see them? They are not three feet from you and yet you cannot see them?"
Mr. Fowl glanced warily around him, "There is naught."
Artemis's eyes widened and they darted to where Foaly and Holly sat. How could his father not see them? They were right there, under his very nose. He was about to protest further when it occurred to him. If his father, or even his mother, couldn't see them, did that make him crazy? No, the headmaster and Butler had seen them. Glancing back their way, he noted their equally confused looks. Something was seriously amiss here.
"Very well father."
"But Mr. Fowl, this is just it. There's nothing wrong with your son. He's perfectly normal, beyond normal really."
"Preposterous! Take the lying little bastard for a few days and you'll see. Study him." Artemis Fowl senior was beginning to look like Root. Red in face and eyes bulging.
"As you wish sir." The doctor pushed his glasses further up his nose, before continuing. He was having difficulty looking the boy in the eyes. "Ok, Artemis. If you'll come along this way."
Artemis rose and made to leave, but before he passed through the door, he looked over his shoulder, "You do not believe."
Indicating a small room lit by the shining sun outside, the doctor held the door open for Artemis. "I have to apologize, but your father just has your mental health in mind here. I hope you don't hold any grudges against him."
The room certainly wasn't as bad as Artemis had in mind, but it still hurt. His quick eyes had already spotted the cleverly hidden cameras and he was one hundred percent certain that the mirror on the wall was covering a room behind it. Cold eyes swiveled to the doctor and in an equally cold voice he said, "Of course not."
Stepping through the door he entered the new environment without the least bit of hate against his father. That was too weak, he was filled with a fury and humiliation that went beyond words.
Staring at the mirror before him, Artemis sat with his back to the wall. He had an idea that they were watching him closely under assumption that he was crazy. Well, they'd be sorely disappointed.
An hour passed, then two. And still he did not move. Only the blinking of his clear eyes showed that he was alive. A little past midnight, Artemis uncurled his stiff muscles and began to look over what he had. The doctor had allowed him to keep a few items that appeared harmless enough. A pen, a small metal enclosed notebook, his watch, and a gold ring he'd taken to wearing.
Not that their appearances were what they were - quite the contrary. The pen, pulled apart to become a miniature satellite receiver. The notebook was of course a compact computer hidden within the metal encasement. The paper was genuine. His watch was a communications device.
His back to the mirror, he activated his watch and stared at the watch face, waiting for a satellite to pass overhead so he could contact Butler. Finally one came over his position and he was to get a link. Butler's face crackled into view on the tiny screen.
"About time, Artemis."
"Indeed."
"Any plans?"
"Don't I always?"
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Chapter 6
Butler rubbed his head and rolled over onto his side. His back ached and come to think about it, his head hurt a lot too. He opened his right eye a slit, just enough to get a glimpse of the room he was in. It was Artemis's back building. What was he doing here? he thought groggily. And it was still light out too, so what was he doing sleeping?
Something approached him from behind, he went limp, waiting for an attack that never came. No more sound came from behind and Butler dismissed it as just part of the creaking of this building. He hadn't been permitted into it often. Which brought up another question. Where was Artemis?
Flipping onto his back again, Butler was startled to see the weirdest looking thing conceivable. He was going to try to scare it off, but then thought better of it. Creatures like these, you could never be too cautious. A voice in his head laughed, creatures like these? When had he come across them before?
"Ok, little guy, easy does it. We'll get you out no problem..."
The creature looked hurt, even embarrassed. Although Butler couldn't think of why, after all it was just a dumb animal.
"In my world, Butler, I am not considered so little, it's just compared to you that I'm small, you giant of a man."
Not so dumb after all...it was talking to him. The thing was actually talking to him - and it knew his name! Butler closed his eyes and began the meditative steps that would allow his mind to wake up and perhaps reveal some answers. A sharp prod in the chest broke the moment and his concentration and Butler blinked his eyes open in irritation.
"Well, you haven't moved much. But by the looks of things, my serum seemed to do the trick. Your breathing is a lot deeper than it was when you first came in."
Butler stared at the animal speaking to him, wondering if he was in a dream...he hadn't dreamed for years, decades possibly. Then he thought of a way to fight him, but then, that wouldn't be fair either considering the creature had no weapon. In fact, it looked as it had never lifted a finger to any sort of weapon.
"Oh for heaven's sake, have you no memory whatsoever? What do I have to do? Snap my fingers in front of your face?"
Butler thought on it and figured that it wouldn't hurt to give it a try, since this creature obviously knew him. Creature. It seriously looked like something out of the fairy tales he had heard Juliet, his sister, read, when she was much, much younger. Scratching his head, Butler finally was able to lay a finger on it.
"You're a centaur."
"You think?" Foaly asked sarcastically, "I always thought I leaned more towards the human side than anything."
"I can see it."
"So can I, considering it's the other third or so of me." Foaly began pacing, his hoofs making a terrible clatter to Butler's foggy mind.
"Is there any chance of you stopping?"
"No."
"Ok."
Pacing a trail into the floor seemed to be Foaly's goal, "Butler, do you seriously not remember anything? I mean, Artemis was a lot faster remembering, but that's just granted. You on the other hand don't seem to be recalling anything."
Not knowing what to say, Butler remained silent.
"How's your breathing, by the way?"
Unconsciously, Butler reached up to massage his chest that always ached...although just not at the moment. "Seems to be all right at the moment, but then, I haven't done any physical activity."
Foaly nodded. "But your memory...that's certainly a concern."
Slightly offended, Butler replied stiffly, "There's nothing wrong with my memory."
Coughing politely, Foaly pointed to himself, "Right, and I am?"
"A centaur."
"We've met before...where?"
"Not long ago – probably half an hour ago, right in this very building."
Artemis's body shook with laughter as he relived the scene where Holly confronted the headmaster. It had been a beautiful moment, one that would be forever burned into his memory.
"Holly, you're a genius. That was incredible back there."
Picking at the dress (again), Holly replied, "You're the genius, I just acted on your idea for playing the part of your sister...I just lost a little control when the stupid professor kept on hinting at a higher bribe."
Artemis shrugged, "He's always like that."
"Not any more."
"Ah, Butler, glad to see that you're finally awake. How're you feeling?" Artemis inquired.
Scowling slightly, Butler responded with a series of grunts before clearing his throat, "I've been through one interrogation as it is, Artemis. Ask this Foaly character for whatever information you want."
Turning a quizzical eye to Foaly, Artemis repeated his question.
"He's fine, but he can't remember a bloody thing. On the other hand, his breathing is almost back to what it was."
"Is he fit to bring north?"
"In that aspect, he'll be fine – he just won't know either me or Holly. But that's not a problem." Foaly snickered, "This way we'll be able to start anew."
Artemis turned back to watch his manservant, who in turn was watching his master intently. He knew something was up, he just couldn't grasp what new scheme Artemis was up to. He also felt betrayed...the trust between the two was down to a thread. So many times had Artemis put either his life or somebody else's life on the line in gaining a little more money for the estate. Artemis knew this – it was time to fill Butler in on past and present, and so he did. Unfortunately, Butler wasn't the only one who heard of the past adventures.
Artemis Fowl senior glared down at his son, his wife sat on one of the elegant imported French love seats. Hair perfectly coifed she was the image of perfection. As was every other member present in the room, displaying how old money's habits are ingrained in the family.
"I can't believe this. Since I've returned, I thought that you'd been keeping to the legal side of things. This...this is outrageous!" he spluttered. "I thought we had an agreement Artemis! I just can't believe this!"
Keeping his face neutral, Artemis Fowl, the second shrugged slightly, "Neither can I. You trust me so little that you secretly had a security camera placed in my rooms. It was craftily done, I'll give you that. Secure line, transmitting at a frequency not usually used for cameras. My detectors never even knew it was there."
"Seems that I was in the right to spy on my very own son. Can't trust you."
Flinching at the harsh words, Artemis quickly explained, "They were of times before we found you, father. I was just recounting old times with Butler."
"Of fairies? Magic? Gnomes?"
Speaking of which, Artemis was actually surprised his father wasn't having a heart attack at the moment, especially since Holly and Foaly in the room with their dirty shoes on the oriental carpets.
"What can I say? Old times."
Butler stood in a dark corner, present, yet unseen. He was feeling ill; his head hurting like the devil was pounding on his head. He was just as confused to say the least.
"Butler? Confirm this."
"It's true. Old times."
"It's ok Butler, I understand. Loyalty to my son is your job."
"Of fairies, magic...gnomes." Artemis Fowl senior muttered, "My son has snapped."
Mrs. Fowl's head lifted at the mention of her beloved son losing it. "Surely you jest."
"Not this time. Artemis let's go, we're bringing you to the hospital immediately."
For the first time in Artemis's life, he jumped to his feet and shouted, "What are you talking about? Can you not see them? They are not three feet from you and yet you cannot see them?"
Mr. Fowl glanced warily around him, "There is naught."
Artemis's eyes widened and they darted to where Foaly and Holly sat. How could his father not see them? They were right there, under his very nose. He was about to protest further when it occurred to him. If his father, or even his mother, couldn't see them, did that make him crazy? No, the headmaster and Butler had seen them. Glancing back their way, he noted their equally confused looks. Something was seriously amiss here.
"Very well father."
"But Mr. Fowl, this is just it. There's nothing wrong with your son. He's perfectly normal, beyond normal really."
"Preposterous! Take the lying little bastard for a few days and you'll see. Study him." Artemis Fowl senior was beginning to look like Root. Red in face and eyes bulging.
"As you wish sir." The doctor pushed his glasses further up his nose, before continuing. He was having difficulty looking the boy in the eyes. "Ok, Artemis. If you'll come along this way."
Artemis rose and made to leave, but before he passed through the door, he looked over his shoulder, "You do not believe."
Indicating a small room lit by the shining sun outside, the doctor held the door open for Artemis. "I have to apologize, but your father just has your mental health in mind here. I hope you don't hold any grudges against him."
The room certainly wasn't as bad as Artemis had in mind, but it still hurt. His quick eyes had already spotted the cleverly hidden cameras and he was one hundred percent certain that the mirror on the wall was covering a room behind it. Cold eyes swiveled to the doctor and in an equally cold voice he said, "Of course not."
Stepping through the door he entered the new environment without the least bit of hate against his father. That was too weak, he was filled with a fury and humiliation that went beyond words.
Staring at the mirror before him, Artemis sat with his back to the wall. He had an idea that they were watching him closely under assumption that he was crazy. Well, they'd be sorely disappointed.
An hour passed, then two. And still he did not move. Only the blinking of his clear eyes showed that he was alive. A little past midnight, Artemis uncurled his stiff muscles and began to look over what he had. The doctor had allowed him to keep a few items that appeared harmless enough. A pen, a small metal enclosed notebook, his watch, and a gold ring he'd taken to wearing.
Not that their appearances were what they were - quite the contrary. The pen, pulled apart to become a miniature satellite receiver. The notebook was of course a compact computer hidden within the metal encasement. The paper was genuine. His watch was a communications device.
His back to the mirror, he activated his watch and stared at the watch face, waiting for a satellite to pass overhead so he could contact Butler. Finally one came over his position and he was to get a link. Butler's face crackled into view on the tiny screen.
"About time, Artemis."
"Indeed."
"Any plans?"
"Don't I always?"